Ask Retief

Thank you for all the questions you have sent in, please keep them coming in (use the form on the Contact page). Here goes, below are some of your questions answered.

 

 

Q. When and where was your first hole-in-one?

 

A. I was aged 13 and was playing in a junior event at Pretoria Country Club. I recall it was with an 8 iron. It was a very exciting day for me!

 

 

Q. How much can you bench press?

 

A. 200lbs

 

 

Q. If were not a golfer what would you be?

 

A. An Architect.

 

 

Q. I Was Wondering What Is Your Pre-Round Routine?

 

A. I try and get to the course 1½ hours before my tee time; I start by having something to eat, then stretching for 10 minutes. I then hit the range and finally go to the putting green just before I walk to the first tee.

 

 

Q. First of all congratulations on the great season you are having, and second of all, I wanted to ask you, since I just got a belly putter, if you could give me any advice on how you use it, that would be amazing. Thanks a lot!!

 

A. Make sure it is the right length and that you don’t stand too far away from the putter when you address the ball. The shaft should be a little higher in your belly and don’t hold the shaft too far down.

 

 

Q. What is the maximum you feel comfortable carrying the ball?

 

A. I would think on average about 290 yards!

 

 

Q. Have you any thought on the new Wentworth?

 

A. The Wentworth Course is a much tougher course, and one that I think the players will enjoy playing during The BMW PGA Championship. One hole to look out for is the 18th!

 

 

Q. If we came around to yours for dinner, what would be your speciality dish and which wine would you choose?

 

A. My wife’s great Spaghetti Bolognaise and I would of course choose one of my Goose Wines!

 

 

Q. Did you have anybody that you admired or inspired you or motivated you?

 

A. Reading instructional books by Ben Hogan and Jack Nicklaus was my first motivation in becoming a professional golfer. I also always watched the British Open and Masters on TV in South Africa with my father and brothers in my early teenage years and seeing the likes of Gary Player playing those events, gave me my inspiration and motivation that I wanted to playing those events one day.

 

 

Q. Hi Retief, I was just wondering what handicap you played off as a teenager.

 

A. I played off a 3 at the age of 13.